"Are you going to come with us?"
In the Western-style restaurant, after hearing Claire's story, Li Qingyuan asked in surprise.
Honestly, while Claire was attractive and had a decent figure, he hadn't really thought about provoking her in any way.
After all, Jill could get jealous in ways that were no joke. Especially now, after being soaked in nutrient solutions several times to remove scars and hidden injuries, her combat ability had risen to a whole new level. Even at full power, he wasn't sure he could take her down.
The nutrient solutions originally used in the base to cultivate Alice clones were Umbrella Corporation's latest research achievements. Immersing someone in them could significantly enhance skin vitality and heal internal injuries. In peaceful times, simply selling this solution could make someone rich overnight.
There was no denying that Umbrella had mastered the field of biomedical research. It was just a pity that in the end, they went down the wrong path.
"Yes. With just the two of you, taking on Umbrella would be too thinly spread. With my combat ability, I shouldn't be a burden," Claire said matter-of-factly, clearly having rehearsed her reasoning.
"But isn't it fine inside the base? Besides, I think people here still need you!" Even though he silently gave Claire thirty-two thumbs-up for her boldness, Li Qingyuan still felt obliged to advise her.
After all, Jill was sitting right there!
"The base has food and drink, and there's no danger. They don't need me anymore," Claire said softly. Previously, she had been chosen as the team leader because the outside world was too dangerous. Now that things were stable, her role as leader had become optional.
"Besides, I want to find my brother. I don't think he's dead!"
As a hardcore brother-fanatic, Li Qingyuan thought Claire was approaching borderline yandere levels.
The world is so big, the outside so dangerous, and you don't want a peaceful life… you just want to wander around looking for your brother?
It was both touching and inspiring.
And do you even know your brother's nickname?
Team Leader!
Even the movie heroine Alice couldn't escape the fatal karmic aura of Team Leader. In the first few installments, Alice was unstoppable, but in the fourth Resident Evil film, after rescuing Chris and teaming up with him… well, the outcome was disastrous.
Li Qingyuan had firmly decided he would have nothing to do with Chris. If he ever met him, he would strike first and ensure Chris didn't survive. Naturally, this was a thought he'd never voice aloud.
"So… what do you think?" Li Qingyuan asked Jill, who was sitting on his lap.
"Just you alone? No one else?" Jill first gave him a sharp look, then asked Claire.
Honestly, because they had fought side by side before, Jill had a good impression of Claire. With Claire's skills, teaming up would make them a reliable duo.
But she had a feeling that if Claire joined them, there would soon be one more person in their sleeping arrangements!
Li Qingyuan thought he was hiding his thoughts well. He didn't consider that Jill Valentine, during her days as a police officer, had dealt with so many high-profile cases that no cunning criminal could hide anything under her nose.
"Most people are satisfied with the current conditions. Even if someone wanted to come, I think it's better not to risk them!" As the team leader and face of the group, a few followers had expressed wanting to join Claire on her journey.
But their combat skills were weak. Claire knew bringing them along would be a death sentence, so she refused decisively.
She wasn't a manipulative girl who enjoyed watching men risk their lives for her!
"What about Carlos?" Jill asked further.
Carlos's skills barely met combat standards. Jill thought that if the four of them went together, she could pair Carlos with Claire. Two cars for four people, perfect setup.
Carlos was a good friend, and so was Claire. Her efforts to match them were purely friendly, nothing else.
"Carlos doesn't want to go. He's tired of wandering!"
Well, that was a solid reason.
It was also perfectly normal. Not everyone wanted to risk their life. Honestly, if Li Qingyuan hadn't insisted on taking down Umbrella, even Jill would have considered staying in the base.
The underground base spanned several square kilometers, had all kinds of living supplies, even a cinema and a swimming pool. Everyone had multiple private residences—luxuries not even available in peaceful times.
If not for their man going out, who would want to leave such comfort to risk life and limb?
Crazy, right?
"Fine. We'll set out tomorrow. Have you packed your things?" Jill, unable to find a reason to refuse, reluctantly welcomed Claire to join.
Though unhappy, Jill knew letting Claire wander alone was a bad idea. So, even while forcing herself to smile, she shook Claire's hand and reminded her what to bring.
"Ouch! That hurt!" Once Claire left the restaurant, Li Qingyuan shouted in pain.
Someone had almost stepped on his foot.
"Hmph!" Jill glared back disdainfully.
"Why did you step on me?"
"I'm warning you—not a single bad thought about her, or I'll smack my butt and go with her, leaving you to follow. Got it?" Jill said, asserting her dominance.
Even though she knew this threat might be meaningless, she wanted to establish authority.
"You're saying what? I didn't even look at her!"
Honestly, he hadn't properly looked at Claire until now.
"Come on. Tell me how you didn't 'look at her properly'? Explain!" Jill smirked and grabbed her tool of enforcement.
"You were sitting on my lap! We're talking about reasoning here!"
"Reasoning, huh? Fine, let me teach you what real reasoning from a woman looks like!"
Jill provocatively licked her lips, making it clear who was in charge of the rules of reason.